ESMA Act On Striking Railwaymen?
By Arnab Ghosh, Gaea News NetworkTuesday, May 4, 2010
MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- To bring the rail strike that has paralyzed the life in Mumbai for the last two days to an end, Central Railway has suspended 20 of the striking motormen. The motormen went on an indefinite strike since Monday asking for enhanced wages and other facilities. They showed no sign of ending the strike that brought the train transport of Mumbai city to a screeching halt. The Railways has termed the strike as illegal. The CM of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan will hold an important meeting with senior railway police officials and a few members of the state administration to find solution to the strike. Estimated 600 railway motormen have joined the strike. Both the railways and the state government have made it clear that they will not hesitate to implement the ESMA act if the striking motormen do not end the strike and resume work.
The railways may be forced to resort to ESMA act which is a weapon for restoring essential services back to normalcy. The Strike has led to the cancellation of a majority of suburban trains in Mumbai. Even with backup staff the Central Railway authorities can run 30 percent of the trains. The 7 million commuters who depend on the efficient train network are in trouble. The government is aware of their plight.
The Railway has clarified that some of the demands of the agitating workers have already been met. While the Railways is considering applying ESMA act, the striking motormen show no sign of deviating from their stand. The situation is being watched closely by the state government.
